44RM Cdo. Roll of Honour

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                                    The Fallen from No. 44 Royal Marine Commando
Capt. A. MARTIN
Rev. H.C.W. MANGER
2/Lieut. J. MACKINNON
Sgt. R.D. GRANT
Sgt. W.H. HODNETT
Cpl. J.R. BEDFORD
Cpl. A.V. BOWEN
Cpl. R.F. FLEMING
Cpl. G.T. HESP
Cpl. P. KIRBY
Cpl. A.A. MARSHALL
Cpl. A.E. WILLIAMS
LCpl. F. FOOT
LCpl. G.T. GIGG
LCpl. A. HEATH
LCpl. J. MUSTOW
LCpl. L.W. PAYNE
LCpl. L. RICHARDSON
Mne. J.M. ASHWORTH
Mne. G.E. BEACH
Mne. E.C. BOLAM
Mne. V. EDWARDS

Mne. C.W. HAW
Mne. F.G. LEWIS
Mne. J. MORRISON
Mne. D. McDONALD
Mne. D. NELSON
Mne. J. O'REILLY
Mne. A.R. OWEN
Mne. C.F. PALMER
Mne. J. PINKNEY
Mne. E. POLKINGHORNE
Mne. D. SCOTT
Mne. A.C. SHEATHER
Mne. D. SHORE
Mne. J.W. TERNENT
Mne. S.K. WALTERS
Mne. W.J. WATKINS

Died during Commando training

Sgt. E.H. GIBSON 
Cpl. A. DOOLEY
Mne. W.H. FARRELL
 
Archive pages: 
44RM Commando
Below is an A-Z view of the Roll of Honour with information about each of the Fallen.

FARRELL, William Henry

Marine William Farrell was killed in an accident during commando training at the Commando Basic Training Centre. In the book 44 Commando, Achnacarry to the Arakan, the author states that Mne Farrell died as a result of an accident that took place during the Strong Point exercise in their final week of training. 
 

GIBSON, Eric Hookway

Sergeant Eric Gibson was killed in training at the Commando Basic Training Centre. The War Diary for 19th September 1943 states, "p.m. 2" mortar accident resulting in death of Sgt Gibson and Cpl A. Dooley, both of C Troop". 
 
His former occupation was "assistant golf professional"  and the cause of death is recorded as "multiple injuries head, neck, and chest."  He was seen after death by Capt. J.E. Symondson RAMC, Medical Officer at the CBTC.  

HAW, Charles Walter

Mne Haw was killed in an accident whilst the Commando were at Fakir Point near Akyab.

In the book 44RM Commando, Achnacarry to the Arakan, the author states that on the 6th January  "a Marine of 'A' troop was accidently shot and killed as his section prepared to carry out a patrol to the Baronga Islands."

MARTIN, Arthur

Captain Arthur Martin, Signals Troop, and one of the original 3rd RM Bn., officers, was killed during operations at Kangaw. He received a MiD for distinguished service while operating with the Army in Burma and on the Eastern Frontier of India.
 
Sources
CWGC​
London Gazettes Supp. 36925,page 757
44RM Commando Achnacarry to the Arakan by Tony Mackenzie.
 

NELSON, Desmond

Mne Nelson, 'A' troop, died at Silchar.

In the book 44RM Commando, Achnacarry to the Arakan, the author states that Rev. F.W. Cornwall RNVR "conducted the funeral of Mne D. Nelson, A tp, at Silchar cemetery. The escort, firing party, and pallbearers, were provided by 'A' troop. This was the first fatality brought about by disease (cerebral malaria)."

O'REILLY, John

Mne. O'Reilly died of other causes during war service, such as road accidents,accidental drowning, etc
(Source: RM Historical Society booklet "A Register of Royal Marines War Deaths 1939-1945.)
 

OWEN, Alan Roger

Mne Owen, X troop, was killed whilst the Commando were based at Ashurst after their formation the previous month.
 
He died after being hit by a jeep driven by an American serviceman on the day before the whole Commando moved to Achnacarry for their Commando training.
Source: 44RM Commando, Achnacarry to the Arakan, by Tony McKenzie.
 

POLKINGHORNE, Eric

Marine Eric Polkinghorne died during operations in Burma . 

In the Roll of Honour at the back of the book 44RM Commando, From Achnacarry to the Arakan, the author lists Mne Polkinghorne as "Died on active service."  At the time of his death his Commando were engaged in the Silkuri region, their task to stop Japanese infiltration on the approaches to Silchar.

WATTS, Ernest J.

Mne. Watts died of illness. [Source: Naval History. net website]
 
Notes
The Commando service of Mne. Watts has not as yet been fully established. Neither the CWGC, nor the Morthoe and Woollacombe 1939 - 1945 War Memorial, show service in a Commando. The latter in fact shows Royal Marine Light Infantry. However the Naval History website does record that he served in 44RM Cdo.  

 

We will Remember them

And all ranks who served in the Commando and have since passed on in the passage of time, who are also remembered by their proud families and comrades.

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